Francis is the first Jesuit Pope, the first Pope from the Americas, the first Pope from the Southern Hemisphere and the first non-European Pope since Pope Gregory III in 741, 1272 years earlier.

Francis is the first Jesuit Pope. What is a Jesuit? Founded by Saint Ignatius of Loyola who had a military background and still today members must show a willingness to accept orders anywhere in the world and live in extreme conditions. Jesuits are known for their work in education, academic research and for their missionary efforts.

Pope Francis has been noted for his humility, his concern for the poor, and his commitment to dialogue as a way to build bridges between people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and faiths.

The first prayer Pope Francis lead in the Vatican was the Our Father. A sign of united Christians around the world.

In 2001 he washed and kissed the feet of Aids patients in a hospice

•He has criticised priests who refuse to baptise babies born to single mothers.